Effect of waste fly ash incorporated into the polymer matrix and surface interactions on radiation shielding effectiveness

Effect of waste fly ash incorporated into the polymer matrix and surface interactions on radiation shielding effectiveness | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Effect of waste fly ash incorporated into the polymer matrix and surface interactions on radiation shielding effectiveness Mücahid Özcan This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3916320/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study focuses on enhancing the surface modification of waste fly ash, which is generated by coal combustion in thermal power plants. The electrospinning method was used to reinforce waste fly ash onto PAN nanofiber. The present study investigates the surface interaction between ceramic fly ash particles and PAN polymer and the potential synergy that may arise from their combination. The flexing capacity of PAN fiber has been found to reach up to three times its original size while simultaneously integrating the fly ash ceramic component into its structural composition. It has been discovered that adding fly ash to PAN Fiber improves its gamma and neutron shielding properties. According to this understanding, the radiation at 0.05 MeV energy can be reduced by 50% with just 0.7 cm of fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofiber material. Waste fly ash surface interaction radiation shielding PAN nanofiber Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 1. INTRODUCTION Everywhere we go in our daily lives, we are exposed to ionizing radiation from both natural and human sources, which puts human health and the environment at serious risk[ 1 ], [ 2 ]. Mitigating ionizing radiation emitted by these sources is crucial in numerous applications, including medicinal treatments[ 3 ], industrial processes[ 4 ], nuclear power generation[ 5 ], and space exploration[ 6 ] endeavors. In recent years, extensive efforts have been made to advance the development of radiation-protection materials to ensure accurate radiation calibration. The increasing need for radiation shielding materials necessitates scientists and engineers exploring sustainable, highly effective, and cost-efficient materials[ 7 ], [ 8 ]. The primary emphasis lies in utilizing hybrid materials to fabricate a composite material that may effectively serve the intended objective, harnessing the favorable characteristics of various constituents to enhance radiation shielding capabilities[ 9 ]. The production of polymer nanocomposites incorporating radiation-resistant ceramic materials necessitates the use of synthetic polymers that possess favorable workability characteristics alongside advanced ceramic materials such as boron carbide[ 10 ], boron nitride[ 11 ], silicon dioxide[ 12 ], [ 13 ], and aluminum oxide[ 13 ], which exhibit a high capacity for radiation shielding. Coal fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion in thermal power plants, has many inorganic compounds, including SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , Na 2 O, CaO, K 2 O, and MgO[ 14 ]. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of these compounds in neutralizing radiation. However, using fly ash, considered a pollutant, as a direct form of radiation shielding is associated with various limitations[ 15 ]. These limitations encompass insufficient effectiveness, difficulties encountered during the processing phase, and the possibility of releasing harmful compounds[ 16 ]. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is a commonly utilized polymer manufacturing ceramic-doped polymer nanocomposites owing to its robust mechanical characteristics, thermal stability, and adaptable processing attributes[ 17 ], [ 18 ]. Using fly ash as reinforcement in PAN polymer nanocomposites not only capitalizes on the radiation-attenuating characteristics of fly ash but also facilitates the fabrication, processing, and dispersion of the composite material. Electrospinning is an easy and inexpensive technique to manufacture ceramic-reinforced polymeric nanofiber composites using a high-voltage electric field. The surface interaction between the polymer and the ceramics reinforced with nanofibers produced by electrospinning and the synergy between materials can be examined in many ways[ 19 ], [ 20 ]. Many researchers have used recent chemistry techniques to uncover the complex mechanism of interactions at the ceramic-polymer interface and how PAN polymer chains interface with the ceramic components of fly ash. The strength of these interactions is very important as they directly affect the composite's mechanical and radiation shielding properties[ 21 ], [ 22 ]. This work investigated the alterations in the radiation shielding capacity of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers when reinforced with fly ash compared to the polymer structure. Ceramic-reinforced polymer nanocomposites, designed to be sustainable, have been successfully developed to possess efficient radiation shielding properties. These nanocomposites utilize fly ashes, known to contribute to environmental contamination, as an effective component. Extensive research has been conducted to investigate the surface interaction and material synergy between polymer and ceramic. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 Materials Polyacrylonitrile, with an average molecular weight of 150,000 (typically), and N, N-Dimethylformamide, anhydrous with a purity of 99.8%, were purchased from Sigma Aldrich. The coal fly ash sample used in this study was acquired from the Çatalağzı Thermal Power Plant[ 23 ]. 2.2 Synthesis of PAN Nanofibers A mixture containing 4 grams of polyacrylonitrile and 40 milliliters of dimethyl formamide was exposed to a three-hour reaction at 70 o C while stirred at 400 revolutions per minute using a magnetic stirrer. Following the complete dissolution of the PAN particles, the stirring process was sustained until the solution reached ambient temperature. The solution was transferred into a 20 mL syringe and afterward linked to the pump mechanism of the electrospinning machine. The polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were gathered at the designated location using an electrical potential of 14 kilovolts and a flow rate of 1.189 milliliters per hour. 2.3 Production of fly ash-reinforced PAN Nanofibers The fly ash was filtrated using membrane filters featuring a pore size of 0.45 micrometers to eliminate big and agglomerated particles. Subsequently, an additional quantity of 0.2 grams of particles was introduced into a 5 ml Dimethyl formamide solution(DMF), followed by thorough mixing. As described in the preceding section, a volume of 15 ml of the PAN solution was combined with the entirety of the fly ash solution and subjected to magnetic stirring in a separate beaker. The resultant solution was allowed to undergo stirring for 48 hours to optimize the interaction between the polymer and ceramic components. Fly ash-reinforced polyacrylonitrile (PAN), the electrospinning process fabricated nanofibers. The solution was loaded into 20 cc syringes and electrospun at a 1,722 ml/hour feeding rate. The electrospinning setup involved maintaining a target-source distance of 20 cm and applying an electric voltage of 16 kV. 2.4 Characterization FEI, Quanta FEG 250 was used to examine materials' surface morphology and microstructure and analyze the element distribution with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) of Coal fly ash reinforced PAN nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Perkin Elmer, Spectrum 100 spectrometer) examined the chemical bonds and elemental compositions. The Ngcal program was employed to undertake a theoretical inquiry into the radiation shielding efficacy of coal fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofiber[ 24 ]. 3. RESULTS AND DİSCUSSİON 3.1 Decoration mechanism of waste fly ash ceramic particles to PAN polymeric nanofibers The production of PAN nanofibers reinforced with fly ash involves the dispersion of ceramic nanoparticles into a polymer solution, followed by the use of an electric field to generate the fibers. The distribution of ceramic particles within the polymer matrix is predominantly influenced by the interaction between the two component phases. The agreement of the surface interaction between ceramic and polymer is primarily influenced by two key factors: physical interactions and dispersion stability[ 25 ], [ 26 ]. The polymer and ceramic materials were subjected to a magnetic stirring process for 48 hours for optimal physical contact. This prolonged swirling facilitated the uniform dispersion of ceramic particles inside the polymer solution, resulting in a homogeneous distribution. Separating the fly ash from its big and agglomerated particles and mixing it in DMF for a specific duration (ensuring pH equality) before combining it with the PAN solution promotes effective dispersion. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis illustrated in Fig. 1 reveals that the distinctive peaks associated with various chemical bonds in polyacrylonitrile nanofibers, namely v(C-O), v(N-O), v(C = O), δ(O-H), v(C ≡ N), and v(C-H), are observed at wavelengths of 1090 cm − 1 , 1452 cm − 1 , 1667 cm − 1 , 1735 cm − 1 , 2244 cm − 1 , and 2940 − 2840 cm − 1 , respectively[ 27 ], [ 28 ]. Furthermore, the fly ash, which is a reinforcing material composed of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , Na 2 O, CaO, K 2 O, and MgO inorganic compounds, exhibits many peaks within the wavelength range of 500–600 cm − 1 , in addition to the characteristic peaks of PAN polymer. Fly ash is also proven to be present in PAN polymer by the peak of the v(Si-O-Si) bond at 1236 cm − 1 wavelength[ 29 ]. Figure 2 (a) displays a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image capturing the incorporation of fly ash particles as reinforcement within the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber structure. It is well acknowledged that polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers exhibit optimal fiber formation characteristics when produced by the process of electrospinning, resulting in fibers that are both straight and smooth in nature. At the interface between the fly ash particle and the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber, the PAN fiber underwent a deformation and assumed a conformation that was well-suited to the morphology of the fly ash particle. Upon examination of the EDX analyses presented in Fig. 2 (b and c), it is observed that the PAN polymer contains carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen elements in the proportions of 27.41, 11.7, and 37.73, respectively. This composition suggests that the PAN polymer is present as a fiber on the particle. The marked region contains the elements sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and iron (Fe), which are derived from the inorganic compounds present in fly ash. The relative concentrations of these elements in the defined region are 0.12, 0.54, 5.95, 9.69, 0.84, 2.89, and 3.13. The EDX analysis on the fly ash sample showed that aluminum (Al) and silicon (Si) were the predominant components. The potential for fly ash and PAN polymeric fiber interaction arises from polar groups or functional moieties, which can engage in hydrogen bonding or dipole-dipole interactions. These interactions can potentially enhance the compatibility between polymer and ceramic materials. The optimization of ceramic particle distribution within the polymer fiber is crucial for enhancing the material properties. A homogeneous distribution of ceramic particles contributes to improved material characteristics, whereas an uneven distribution leads to the formation of vulnerable areas in the material[ 25 ], [ 26 ], [ 30 ], [ 31 ]. The strong compatibility observed between fly ash and PAN polymeric fiber facilitates the homogeneous dispersion of particles within the fiber. This distribution enhances the material qualities and has the potential to yield high efficiency in the designated application domain. Figure 3 provides a comprehensive analysis of the surface interaction and material synergy between fly ash and polyacrylonitrile polymeric fiber, observed at a magnification of 100,000 times. The polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, which exhibit no interaction with the fly ash ceramic particles, are composed solely of the main line. The fiber line exhibits uniform smooth and flat polymer surface characteristics. Two distinct lines, the main and sidelines, are generated in the fiber near the ceramic particle at the sites where the polymer and ceramic particle interact. The fiber thickness in the absence of fly ash ceramic particles measures 423 nm. However, the inclusion of these particles results in an increase in fiber size to 1449 nm. The measure of elasticity is determined by dividing the elongation of a material at a specific force by the force that is applied. Due to the influence of electric force, the polymeric fiber in the electrospinning process of ceramic particles undergoes a stretching of roughly 1026 nm, resulting in an elongation of approximately 3.5 times. The stretching process formed sidelines, distributing the polymeric density over the fly ash ceramic particle. This distribution ensures that the side lines exhibit reduced thickness and increased transparency relative to the main lines. The fiber layer turns translucent where the polymer density drops, giving the impression that no polymeric fiber layer surrounds the ceramic particle. Upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that the capillary lines round the ceramic particle. 3.2 Radiation shielding performance of fly ash decorated PAN nanofibers The comprehension of the interaction between shielding materials with photons and neutrons throughout radiation attenuation and absorption enables a more comprehensive assessment of the mechanisms involved in radiation shielding. Due to the distinct characteristics of neutrons and photons, radiation shielding must be divided into two categories: neutron shielding and gamma shielding[ 32 ], [ 33 ]. Since neutrons are electrically neutral, they can only interact with the nuclei of atoms in two different ways: scattering and absorption. For this reason, elements with low atomic numbers and high scattering cross sections are preferred for neutron shielding. For this reason, the radiation shielding capabilities of hydrogen-containing polymers are increased with ceramic reinforcements[ 32 ]. Table 1 Mass attenuation coefficient changes while affecting neutrons Sample ID Mass attenuation coefficient, cm 2 /g Neutrons Thermal (25,4 meV) Fast (4 MeV) Waste Fly Ash/PAN Fiber 0,014431 0,002815 Neat PAN Fiber 0,010437 0,002189 The change in mass attenuation attenuation in thermal and fast neutrons with fly ash supplementation in PAN nanofiber is given in Table 1 . Fly ash supplementation provided a 30% mass attenuation coefficient to PAN nanofiber. Table 2 Linear attenuation coefficient changes while affecting neutrons Sample ID Linear attenuation coefficient, cm − 1 Neutrons Thermal (25,4 meV) Fast (4 MeV) Waste Fly Ash/PAN Fiber 0,042961 0,008381 Neat PAN Fiber 0,018578 0,003897 The increase in the linear attenuation coefficient compared to the mass attenuation coefficient was approximately 2.5 times. It is understood that reinforcing PAN nanofiber with inorganic compounds formed by elements with high neutron cross-sectional areas in fly ash increases the neutron shielding ability(Table 2 ). The Compton effect, which is caused by the scattering of both the incident photon and the electron, and the photoelectric absorption effect, is caused by the complete absorption of the incoming photon in the atomic collision with the interaction between the gamma-ray and the shielding material, and the Pair production, which results in the creation of a subatomic particle and its antiparticles of the photon[ 34 ]. Measurements were made between 0.05 and 10 MeV in the analyses because Compton scattering and Pair production were not seen at photon energies below 50 keV. According to our calculations, Compton scattering and pair production effects may cause rebound and scattered electrons to be formed due to the interaction of incoming gamma radiation with PAN nanofiber. The conclusion of the interaction between fly ash and gamma radiation results in the attenuation of the incident gamma radiation due to the occurrence of the photoelectric effect. The observed effects will influence radiation attenuation in both materials. Utilizing nano-sized fly ashes that are well-dispersed and possess a large surface area can enhance the photoelectric effect by facilitating a more efficient interaction between photons and particles. Additionally, this approach may lead to an increase in radiation shielding efficiency. Figure 4 presents a comparative analysis of polyacrylonitrile fiber's gamma radiation shielding capabilities and fly ash-reinforced polyacrylonitrile fiber when exposed to photons of varying energy. Figure 4 (a) compares the mass attenuation coefficients between fly ash reinforced and unreinforced PAN nanofibers within the photon energy range of 0.05–1 MeV. PAN fiber's mass attenuation coefficient is 0.2 cm 2 /g when measured using photons with an energy of 0.05 MeV. However, this value experiences a significant rise to roughly 3.2 cm 2 /g when fly ash reinforcement is introduced. However, fly ash supplementation can only alter the mass attenuation coefficient by 0.3 cm 2 /g when the photon energy reaches 0.1 MeV. It becomes evident that the fly ash supplement is essentially nonexistent when the photon energy hits 0.5 MeV. This observation suggests that when the energy of the incident photons is above the energy threshold of the fly ash, the photoelectric efficiency tends to approach its maximum level. Figure 4 (b) illustrates the linear attenuation coefficient values observed in PAN nanofibers, both reinforced with fly ash and unreinforced. The linear attenuation coefficient can be determined by multiplying the mass attenuation coefficient by the density[ 35 ], [ 36 ]. Hence, similarly to the intensity ratio, the difference between the two fibers diminishes with increasing photon energy rather than converging to zero, as observed in the mass attenuation coefficient. The difference between fly ash reinforced and unreinforced PAN nanofibers approaches three times at photon energy as low as 0.05 MeV. Even when the differences between them decrease, such as in the case of the mass attenuation coefficient, the discrepancy between the linear attenuation coefficients remains constant rather than converging toward zero. The Mean Free Path (MFP) refers to the distance that a photon can travel before reaching an obstacle, whereas the Half Value Layer (HVL) reflects the thickness of material necessary to attenuate half of the radiation[ 37 ]-[ 38 ]. The experimental results indicate that the utilization of low-energy photons enables the assessment of the shielding capabilities of fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofibers. Specifically, a shielding sample with a thickness of 0.7 cm may effectively attenuate 50% of the radiation. It is commonly acknowledged that the values of MFP (mean free path) and HVL (half-value layer) exhibit an increase with higher levels of photon energy. 4. CONCLUSİON In this study, fly ash, a waste product from thermal power plants, was used to reinforce PAN nanofiber, which was electrospun to increase its ability to shield against gamma and neutron radiation. During the process of fly ash reinforcement, a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber with a smooth surface was exposed to internal tensile pressures, resulting in an increase in fiber thickness from 423 nm to 1449 nm. A comparison of the two materials, the gamma radiation shielding properties of optimized fly ash reinforced PAN nanofiber and regular PAN nanofiber, specifically focusing on photon energies ranging from 0.05 to 10 MeV. Furthermore, an investigation was conducted to analyze the alterations in mass attenuation and linear attenuation coefficient of fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofiber when subjected to heat and fast neutrons, compared to regular PAN fiber. Declarations Ethical Approval Not applicaple. Funding Not applicaple. Availability of data and materials Data available on request due to privacy/ethical restrictions Author Statement Mücahid Özcan: Conceptualization (lead), Data curation (lead), Investigation (lead), Visualization (lead), Writing – original draft (lead), Writing – review & editing (lead). Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Acknowledgment The author would like to thank Prof. Dr. Cengiz Kaya and Prof. Dr. Figen Kaya for their valuable support. 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Physica B 674:0921–4526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2023.415584) Özcan M, Kaya C, Kaya F (2023) An optimization study for the electrospun borate ester nanofibers as light-weight, flexible, and affordable neutron shields for personal protection. Macromol Mater Eng 308(11):2300150. https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202300150 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files GraphicalAbstractSAI.png Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3916320","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":274219151,"identity":"cbd56d27-ccdd-4a2b-b3e5-e4175578c356","order_by":0,"name":"Mücahid Özcan","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA7UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYPACGwaGw3BOAlFa0tC0HCCs5TCyKgJadNvbH374ueO8PN9xHsNPN2ruMPCz5xgwf9yDW4vZmQPJkr1nbhvOPMxjLJ1z7BmDZM8bA4YDz/BouZFwjIG37TbjhsM8BtI5bIcZDG7kALXgcZnZjcQ2xr9t5+yBWox/5/w7zGBPWEsyGzNv24FEoBYz6dw2oC0ShLScOcYsLduWnDzzMFuZdW7fYR6JM88KDpzBp+V4+8OPb9vsbPvOH958O+fbYTn+9uSNDyrwaEECHAYgkgdEEKeBgYH9AZEKR8EoGAWjYKQBAF/lWmrmU5RWAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Adiyaman University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mücahid","middleName":"","lastName":"Özcan","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-02-01 06:50:46","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3916320/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3916320/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":51537606,"identity":"f16f3316-335a-4397-9f2a-584c8794dada","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-02-23 10:06:41","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":104495,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eFTIR analysis of fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofibers\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3916320/v1/34ff00bab75425d34a44188d.png"},{"id":51537607,"identity":"f9091a0c-a831-468d-920c-3191a8712c2a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-02-23 10:06:41","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":449075,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ea) SEM images of fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofibers, b) and c) EDX analysis of Point 1\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3916320/v1/fa052e8613b01ee354c81122.png"},{"id":51537608,"identity":"28575816-729e-44e8-9200-f4226941689f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-02-23 10:06:41","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":631918,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSEM images of fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofibers with surface interactions line\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3916320/v1/0a397a9b15f0184156ff8d99.png"},{"id":51537609,"identity":"d9321fc7-5d46-4cd9-96eb-41a8e65b2e11","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-02-23 10:06:41","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":196936,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eVariation of the photon energy versus a) mass attenuation coefficient, b) linear attenuation coefficient, c)mean free path, d) half value layer against neat PAN nanofiber and waste fly ash reinforced PAN nanofiber\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3916320/v1/5ef989043a5d56c8b529704b.png"},{"id":51692217,"identity":"7b291784-76e2-46a5-912f-86fed7fc4953","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-02-27 10:26:46","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1697113,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3916320/v1/23eb489b-fe20-4bfe-92d2-4c30425d8d70.pdf"},{"id":51537610,"identity":"8a50c2ff-ff7e-410a-b44d-5367ece219b6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-02-23 10:06:41","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":3334542,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"GraphicalAbstractSAI.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3916320/v1/a49a0689ddda13c269ed8d5f.png"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Effect of waste fly ash incorporated into the polymer matrix and surface interactions on radiation shielding effectiveness","fulltext":[{"header":"1. INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eEverywhere we go in our daily lives, we are exposed to ionizing radiation from both natural and human sources, which puts human health and the environment at serious risk[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Mitigating ionizing radiation emitted by these sources is crucial in numerous applications, including medicinal treatments[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e], industrial processes[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e], nuclear power generation[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e], and space exploration[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e] endeavors. In recent years, extensive efforts have been made to advance the development of radiation-protection materials to ensure accurate radiation calibration. The increasing need for radiation shielding materials necessitates scientists and engineers exploring sustainable, highly effective, and cost-efficient materials[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. The primary emphasis lies in utilizing hybrid materials to fabricate a composite material that may effectively serve the intended objective, harnessing the favorable characteristics of various constituents to enhance radiation shielding capabilities[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. The production of polymer nanocomposites incorporating radiation-resistant ceramic materials necessitates the use of synthetic polymers that possess favorable workability characteristics alongside advanced ceramic materials such as boron carbide[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e], boron nitride[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e], silicon dioxide[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e], and aluminum oxide[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e], which exhibit a high capacity for radiation shielding.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoal fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion in thermal power plants, has many inorganic compounds, including SiO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e, Al\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e, Fe\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e, Na\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO, CaO, K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO, and MgO[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of these compounds in neutralizing radiation. However, using fly ash, considered a pollutant, as a direct form of radiation shielding is associated with various limitations[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. These limitations encompass insufficient effectiveness, difficulties encountered during the processing phase, and the possibility of releasing harmful compounds[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e]. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is a commonly utilized polymer manufacturing ceramic-doped polymer nanocomposites owing to its robust mechanical characteristics, thermal stability, and adaptable processing attributes[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. Using fly ash as reinforcement in PAN polymer nanocomposites not only capitalizes on the radiation-attenuating characteristics of fly ash but also facilitates the fabrication, processing, and dispersion of the composite material.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eElectrospinning is an easy and inexpensive technique to manufacture ceramic-reinforced polymeric nanofiber composites using a high-voltage electric field. The surface interaction between the polymer and the ceramics reinforced with nanofibers produced by electrospinning and the synergy between materials can be examined in many ways[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. Many researchers have used recent chemistry techniques to uncover the complex mechanism of interactions at the ceramic-polymer interface and how PAN polymer chains interface with the ceramic components of fly ash. The strength of these interactions is very important as they directly affect the composite's mechanical and radiation shielding properties[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis work investigated the alterations in the radiation shielding capacity of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers when reinforced with fly ash compared to the polymer structure. Ceramic-reinforced polymer nanocomposites, designed to be sustainable, have been successfully developed to possess efficient radiation shielding properties. These nanocomposites utilize fly ashes, known to contribute to environmental contamination, as an effective component. Extensive research has been conducted to investigate the surface interaction and material synergy between polymer and ceramic.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. MATERIALS AND METHODS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Materials\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePolyacrylonitrile, with an average molecular weight of 150,000 (typically), and N, N-Dimethylformamide, anhydrous with a purity of 99.8%, were purchased from Sigma Aldrich. The coal fly ash sample used in this study was acquired from the \u0026Ccedil;atalağzı Thermal Power Plant[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2 Synthesis of PAN Nanofibers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA mixture containing 4 grams of polyacrylonitrile and 40 milliliters of dimethyl formamide was exposed to a three-hour reaction at 70 \u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC while stirred at 400 revolutions per minute using a magnetic stirrer. Following the complete dissolution of the PAN particles, the stirring process was sustained until the solution reached ambient temperature. The solution was transferred into a 20 mL syringe and afterward linked to the pump mechanism of the electrospinning machine. The polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were gathered at the designated location using an electrical potential of 14 kilovolts and a flow rate of 1.189 milliliters per hour.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3 Production of fly ash-reinforced PAN Nanofibers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe fly ash was filtrated using membrane filters featuring a pore size of 0.45 micrometers to eliminate big and agglomerated particles. Subsequently, an additional quantity of 0.2 grams of particles was introduced into a 5 ml Dimethyl formamide solution(DMF), followed by thorough mixing. As described in the preceding section, a volume of 15 ml of the PAN solution was combined with the entirety of the fly ash solution and subjected to magnetic stirring in a separate beaker. The resultant solution was allowed to undergo stirring for 48 hours to optimize the interaction between the polymer and ceramic components. Fly ash-reinforced polyacrylonitrile (PAN), the electrospinning process fabricated nanofibers. The solution was loaded into 20 cc syringes and electrospun at a 1,722 ml/hour feeding rate. The electrospinning setup involved maintaining a target-source distance of 20 cm and applying an electric voltage of 16 kV.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4 Characterization\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFEI, Quanta FEG 250 was used to examine materials' surface morphology and microstructure and analyze the element distribution with Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) of Coal fly ash reinforced PAN nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Perkin Elmer, Spectrum 100 spectrometer) examined the chemical bonds and elemental compositions. The Ngcal program was employed to undertake a theoretical inquiry into the radiation shielding efficacy of coal fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofiber[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. RESULTS AND DİSCUSSİON","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 Decoration mechanism of waste fly ash ceramic particles to PAN polymeric nanofibers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe production of PAN nanofibers reinforced with fly ash involves the dispersion of ceramic nanoparticles into a polymer solution, followed by the use of an electric field to generate the fibers. The distribution of ceramic particles within the polymer matrix is predominantly influenced by the interaction between the two component phases. The agreement of the surface interaction between ceramic and polymer is primarily influenced by two key factors: physical interactions and dispersion stability[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e]. The polymer and ceramic materials were subjected to a magnetic stirring process for 48 hours for optimal physical contact. This prolonged swirling facilitated the uniform dispersion of ceramic particles inside the polymer solution, resulting in a homogeneous distribution. Separating the fly ash from its big and agglomerated particles and mixing it in DMF for a specific duration (ensuring pH equality) before combining it with the PAN solution promotes effective dispersion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis illustrated in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e reveals that the distinctive peaks associated with various chemical bonds in polyacrylonitrile nanofibers, namely v(C-O), v(N-O), v(C\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;O), δ(O-H), v(C\u0026thinsp;\u0026equiv;\u0026thinsp;N), and v(C-H), are observed at wavelengths of 1090 cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, 1452 cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, 1667 cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, 1735 cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, 2244 cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, and 2940\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2840 cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, respectively[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, the fly ash, which is a reinforcing material composed of SiO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e, Al\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e, Fe\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e, Na\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO, CaO, K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO, and MgO inorganic compounds, exhibits many peaks within the wavelength range of 500\u0026ndash;600 cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, in addition to the characteristic peaks of PAN polymer. Fly ash is also proven to be present in PAN polymer by the peak of the v(Si-O-Si) bond at 1236 cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e wavelength[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e(a) displays a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image capturing the incorporation of fly ash particles as reinforcement within the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber structure. It is well acknowledged that polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers exhibit optimal fiber formation characteristics when produced by the process of electrospinning, resulting in fibers that are both straight and smooth in nature. At the interface between the fly ash particle and the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber, the PAN fiber underwent a deformation and assumed a conformation that was well-suited to the morphology of the fly ash particle. Upon examination of the EDX analyses presented in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e (b and c), it is observed that the PAN polymer contains carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen elements in the proportions of 27.41, 11.7, and 37.73, respectively. This composition suggests that the PAN polymer is present as a fiber on the particle.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe marked region contains the elements sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and iron (Fe), which are derived from the inorganic compounds present in fly ash. The relative concentrations of these elements in the defined region are 0.12, 0.54, 5.95, 9.69, 0.84, 2.89, and 3.13. The EDX analysis on the fly ash sample showed that aluminum (Al) and silicon (Si) were the predominant components.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe potential for fly ash and PAN polymeric fiber interaction arises from polar groups or functional moieties, which can engage in hydrogen bonding or dipole-dipole interactions. These interactions can potentially enhance the compatibility between polymer and ceramic materials. The optimization of ceramic particle distribution within the polymer fiber is crucial for enhancing the material properties. A homogeneous distribution of ceramic particles contributes to improved material characteristics, whereas an uneven distribution leads to the formation of vulnerable areas in the material[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e]. The strong compatibility observed between fly ash and PAN polymeric fiber facilitates the homogeneous dispersion of particles within the fiber. This distribution enhances the material qualities and has the potential to yield high efficiency in the designated application domain.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e provides a comprehensive analysis of the surface interaction and material synergy between fly ash and polyacrylonitrile polymeric fiber, observed at a magnification of 100,000 times. The polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, which exhibit no interaction with the fly ash ceramic particles, are composed solely of the main line. The fiber line exhibits uniform smooth and flat polymer surface characteristics. Two distinct lines, the main and sidelines, are generated in the fiber near the ceramic particle at the sites where the polymer and ceramic particle interact. The fiber thickness in the absence of fly ash ceramic particles measures 423 nm. However, the inclusion of these particles results in an increase in fiber size to 1449 nm. The measure of elasticity is determined by dividing the elongation of a material at a specific force by the force that is applied. Due to the influence of electric force, the polymeric fiber in the electrospinning process of ceramic particles undergoes a stretching of roughly 1026 nm, resulting in an elongation of approximately 3.5 times. The stretching process formed sidelines, distributing the polymeric density over the fly ash ceramic particle. This distribution ensures that the side lines exhibit reduced thickness and increased transparency relative to the main lines. The fiber layer turns translucent where the polymer density drops, giving the impression that no polymeric fiber layer surrounds the ceramic particle. Upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that the capillary lines round the ceramic particle.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Radiation shielding performance of fly ash decorated PAN nanofibers\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe comprehension of the interaction between shielding materials with photons and neutrons throughout radiation attenuation and absorption enables a more comprehensive assessment of the mechanisms involved in radiation shielding. Due to the distinct characteristics of neutrons and photons, radiation shielding must be divided into two categories: neutron shielding and gamma shielding[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSince neutrons are electrically neutral, they can only interact with the nuclei of atoms in two different ways: scattering and absorption. For this reason, elements with low atomic numbers and high scattering cross sections are preferred for neutron shielding. For this reason, the radiation shielding capabilities of hydrogen-containing polymers are increased with ceramic reinforcements[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMass attenuation coefficient changes while affecting neutrons\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSample ID\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMass attenuation coefficient, cm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e/g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeutrons\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThermal (25,4 meV)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFast (4 MeV)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWaste Fly Ash/PAN Fiber\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,014431\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,002815\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeat PAN Fiber\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,010437\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,002189\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe change in mass attenuation attenuation in thermal and fast neutrons with fly ash supplementation in PAN nanofiber is given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. Fly ash supplementation provided a 30% mass attenuation coefficient to PAN nanofiber.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLinear attenuation coefficient changes while affecting neutrons\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSample ID\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLinear attenuation coefficient, cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeutrons\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThermal (25,4 meV)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFast (4 MeV)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWaste Fly Ash/PAN Fiber\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,042961\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,008381\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeat PAN Fiber\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,018578\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0,003897\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe increase in the linear attenuation coefficient compared to the mass attenuation coefficient was approximately 2.5 times. It is understood that reinforcing PAN nanofiber with inorganic compounds formed by elements with high neutron cross-sectional areas in fly ash increases the neutron shielding ability(Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Compton effect, which is caused by the scattering of both the incident photon and the electron, and the photoelectric absorption effect, is caused by the complete absorption of the incoming photon in the atomic collision with the interaction between the gamma-ray and the shielding material, and the Pair production, which results in the creation of a subatomic particle and its antiparticles of the photon[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e]. Measurements were made between 0.05 and 10 MeV in the analyses because Compton scattering and Pair production were not seen at photon energies below 50 keV. According to our calculations, Compton scattering and pair production effects may cause rebound and scattered electrons to be formed due to the interaction of incoming gamma radiation with PAN nanofiber. The conclusion of the interaction between fly ash and gamma radiation results in the attenuation of the incident gamma radiation due to the occurrence of the photoelectric effect. The observed effects will influence radiation attenuation in both materials. Utilizing nano-sized fly ashes that are well-dispersed and possess a large surface area can enhance the photoelectric effect by facilitating a more efficient interaction between photons and particles. Additionally, this approach may lead to an increase in radiation shielding efficiency.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e presents a comparative analysis of polyacrylonitrile fiber's gamma radiation shielding capabilities and fly ash-reinforced polyacrylonitrile fiber when exposed to photons of varying energy. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e(a) compares the mass attenuation coefficients between fly ash reinforced and unreinforced PAN nanofibers within the photon energy range of 0.05\u0026ndash;1 MeV. PAN fiber's mass attenuation coefficient is 0.2 cm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e/g when measured using photons with an energy of 0.05 MeV. However, this value experiences a significant rise to roughly 3.2 cm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e/g when fly ash reinforcement is introduced. However, fly ash supplementation can only alter the mass attenuation coefficient by 0.3 cm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e/g when the photon energy reaches 0.1 MeV. It becomes evident that the fly ash supplement is essentially nonexistent when the photon energy hits 0.5 MeV. This observation suggests that when the energy of the incident photons is above the energy threshold of the fly ash, the photoelectric efficiency tends to approach its maximum level.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e(b) illustrates the linear attenuation coefficient values observed in PAN nanofibers, both reinforced with fly ash and unreinforced. The linear attenuation coefficient can be determined by multiplying the mass attenuation coefficient by the density[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e], [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. Hence, similarly to the intensity ratio, the difference between the two fibers diminishes with increasing photon energy rather than converging to zero, as observed in the mass attenuation coefficient. The difference between fly ash reinforced and unreinforced PAN nanofibers approaches three times at photon energy as low as 0.05 MeV. Even when the differences between them decrease, such as in the case of the mass attenuation coefficient, the discrepancy between the linear attenuation coefficients remains constant rather than converging toward zero.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Mean Free Path (MFP) refers to the distance that a photon can travel before reaching an obstacle, whereas the Half Value Layer (HVL) reflects the thickness of material necessary to attenuate half of the radiation[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e]-[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e]. The experimental results indicate that the utilization of low-energy photons enables the assessment of the shielding capabilities of fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofibers. Specifically, a shielding sample with a thickness of 0.7 cm may effectively attenuate 50% of the radiation. It is commonly acknowledged that the values of MFP (mean free path) and HVL (half-value layer) exhibit an increase with higher levels of photon energy.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. CONCLUSİON","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this study, fly ash, a waste product from thermal power plants, was used to reinforce PAN nanofiber, which was electrospun to increase its ability to shield against gamma and neutron radiation. During the process of fly ash reinforcement, a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber with a smooth surface was exposed to internal tensile pressures, resulting in an increase in fiber thickness from 423 nm to 1449 nm. A comparison of the two materials, the gamma radiation shielding properties of optimized fly ash reinforced PAN nanofiber and regular PAN nanofiber, specifically focusing on photon energies ranging from 0.05 to 10 MeV. Furthermore, an investigation was conducted to analyze the alterations in mass attenuation and linear attenuation coefficient of fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofiber when subjected to heat and fast neutrons, compared to regular PAN fiber.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Approval\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicaple.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicaple.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData available on request due to privacy/ethical restrictions\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eM\u0026uuml;cahid \u0026Ouml;zcan:\u0026nbsp;Conceptualization (lead), Data curation (lead), Investigation (lead), Visualization (lead), Writing \u0026ndash; original draft (lead), Writing \u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing (lead).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeclaration of competing interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgment\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author would like to thank Prof. Dr. Cengiz Kaya and Prof. Dr. Figen Kaya for their valuable support.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJayaraju N et al (2023) Mobile phone and base stations radiation and its effects on human health and environment: A review. 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Macromol Mater Eng 308(11):2300150. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202300150\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1002/mame.202300150\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Waste fly ash, surface interaction, radiation shielding, PAN nanofiber","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3916320/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3916320/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study focuses on enhancing the surface modification of waste fly ash, which is generated by coal combustion in thermal power plants. The electrospinning method was used to reinforce waste fly ash onto PAN nanofiber. The present study investigates the surface interaction between ceramic fly ash particles and PAN polymer and the potential synergy that may arise from their combination. The flexing capacity of PAN fiber has been found to reach up to three times its original size while simultaneously integrating the fly ash ceramic component into its structural composition. It has been discovered that adding fly ash to PAN Fiber improves its gamma and neutron shielding properties. According to this understanding, the radiation at 0.05 MeV energy can be reduced by 50% with just 0.7 cm of fly ash-reinforced PAN nanofiber material.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Effect of waste fly ash incorporated into the polymer matrix and surface interactions on radiation shielding effectiveness","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-02-23 10:06:36","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3916320/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"2ddd4e7a-e1f7-49b3-9a0d-ffb000a2c903","owner":[],"postedDate":"February 23rd, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-02-27T10:18:40+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-02-23 10:06:36","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-3916320","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-3916320","identity":"rs-3916320","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}